Bedford Road Park Site

Amenities

Natural Areas

About

View an aerial view of the Bedford Road Park site.

The Department of Recreation and Parks accepted feedback on the four concepts for the Bedford Road Park Site through March 2024. Additional feedback is welcome to capitalprojects-rp@baltimorecountymd.gov. Comments do not need to reflect only one concept and can include features and ideas across any of the four concepts provided.

View Park Site Concepts

The first two concepts incorporate more passive features, while the last two are more active. The costs and environmental impacts are estimates.

Concept Name/Description	Proposed Amenities	Cost	Environmental Impact
Oxbow (Passive)—View concept map. This concept is based on the course of an imaginary stream as it winds through the landscape. Most of the existing trees are retained in this option and the existing hedgerow is restored. Most of the park is planted in meadows, reducing maintenance and providing water quality benefits and habitat for wildlife. One point of vehicular ingress and egress has been provided to limit paving and impacts to adjacent trees.	23 parking spaces Decks with seating Lawn areas for spontaneous gatherings/play Meadow landscape Paved path Small pavilion	Low—Minimal built elements	Low—Minimal paving, significant meadow land cover Impervious cover—Low to medium level
Piedmont Meander (Passive)—View concept map. The theme of this concept is nature observation. It highlights the experience of the piedmont geographic region by creating two mounded landforms representing the local topography. The perimeter of the park area features a more traditional landscape with lawn and trees and multiple looped paths and connections to adjacent residential areas provide access. Two points of vehicular ingress and egress have been provided to limit paving and impacts to adjacent trees by providing one-way parking access.	15 parking spaces Bird blind Boardwalk Gathering area Lawn areas Lookout tower Meadow landscape Paved paths Rocky outcrop	Medium to high—Earthwork to create mounds and lookout tower	Medium—Constructing the mounds will create extensive disturbance, but the final vegetative cover will support wildlife and promote water quality Impervious cover—Medium level
Farm to Forest (Active)—View concept map. This concept celebrates the farming history of the site by restoring the orchard and referencing the agricultural heritage through signage. The far end of the site is reforested, providing a buffer for the surrounding residences. The northern and southern borders of the site are planted in meadow to provide a successional continuum to the landscape and offering further educational opportunities. Two points of vehicular ingress and egress have been provided to limit paving and impacts to adjacent trees by providing one-way parking access.	23 parking spaces Educational opportunities Farming area Fitness area Playground Meadow landscape Reforested areas provide buffer for surrounding residences Varied walking experiences and distances	High—Fitness area, playgrounds and shade structures are costly elements	Medium—Minimal grading, but the fitness area and playground need to be level Impervious Cover—Medium to high level
Circle Round (Active)—View concept map. Several looped pathways define this concept. An outer circle in the center of the park is intended for pedestrians and the interior loop is a pump track for bicyclists. The front of the park is a traditional landscape with large preserved trees and lawn. To minimize maintenance and provide water quality benefits while supporting pollinators, a small meadow will be planted in the interior of the pump track. One point of vehicular ingress and egress has been provided to limit impacts to adjacent trees.	23 parking spaces Fitness pods Lawn areas Paved paths for pedestrians and bicyclists Pump track Shaded playground Small plaza for gathering and seating Small meadow	High—Fitness area, playground, shade structures and pump track are costly elements	Medium to high—Multiple built elements and most of the park is lawn Impervious Cover—Medium to high level

Timeline

November 2021: Property purchased by Baltimore County.
July 2022: Project funded for initial design as part of FY23 Budget.
January 2023: Design Consultant engaged for site investigation.
June 2023: Constraint’s plan received.
July 2023: Project funded for full design and Construction as part of FY24 budget.
July 19, 2023: Virtual public input meeting. View the recording of the meeting. View the presentation.
February 2024: Concepts posted to website for public input.
October 2024: Stormwater Management Outfall Study received.
Fall 2024: Design consultant engaged for full design.
Winter 2024/2025: Park Design to commence.
Spring/Summer 2025 (Estimated): Final concept to be presented for public input.